Hillsborough County COVID-19 vaccine distribution

After several different phases of COVID-19 vaccine rollout, all adults in Hillsborough County are now eligible for the vaccine. 

Floridians have any different vaccine options available to them, from federal sites to county- and state-run locations, and many commercial providers. Some locations don’t even require an appointment anymore.

Residents of Hillsborough County have three different types of government-run vaccine sites available to them -- a federal site, a state-run site, and multiple county-run sites. Each has different eligibility criteria and ways to register. There are also privately run locations at retailers.

State-run site:

Hillsborough County is partnering with the state of Florida in operating a drive-thru vaccination site at Raymond James Stadium. The state-supported site began accepting walk-ups Wednesday March 31.

The vaccination site can be found in Lot 14, located on the northeast side of the stadium off of Himes Avenue. The site opened at Raymond James Stadium on Monday, March 1. It was originally at the University Mall. 

Officials said if you're among those due for a second dose:

  • You may receive a call may not come from an area code you recognize because the county is working with a call center, don’t expect to see an "813" number. You’re encouraged to answer your calls right now even if you don’t recognize the number.
  • Note that you will never be asked about your Social Security number over the phone on an appointment call back.
  • In order to get the second dose, you must still have a second appointment.
  • Bring your COVID-19 vaccination record card with you and an ID.

How to get an appointment:

  • To request an appointment please call 1-866-200-3896 or TTY 1-833-476-1029.

County-run sites:

In order to make COVID-19 coronavirus vaccinations as easy as possible, individuals will be able to get first doses of the vaccine without an appointment at Hillsborough County’s public locations starting next week.
 
To expedite the process and save time at the vaccination site, individuals are encouraged to go to patientportalfl.com to open an account before arriving. However, creating an account beforehand is not required.
 
Hillsborough County sites that are open the week of April 26 for first doses include:

  • Larry Sanders Sports Complex, 5855 S. 78th St. in the Progress Village area - this drive-thru location will be open Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N. 50th St. in Tampa - this walk-thru indoor location is open from Wednesday, April 28 through Friday, April 30, also from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The TPepin’s site should be accessed from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Operations at the Ed Radice Sports Complex and Vance Vogel Sports Complex vaccination sites will be focused on providing second doses to those with previously-scheduled appointments.
 
Florida residency is required. As a reminder, individuals can create an account first at the CDR Health Pro portal at patientportalfl.com to save time at the site. It takes only a few minutes to create an account. The registration process is simple and easy.
 
Regarding vaccinations for 16- and 17-year-olds

  • A parent or legal guardian must complete the online consent form on the registration portal when making an appointment for a 16- or 17-year-old to be vaccinated at a County site.
  • Without a completed consent form, the vaccine will not be administered to the minor.
  • A parent or legal guardian must also be present at the time the minor receives the vaccine.

There is no out-of-pocket cost to be vaccinated. A doctor’s note or prescription is not required. Health insurance information is being collected in accordance with federal guidance; however, you will not be asked to pay a copay or deductible. Individuals who do not have health insurance will still be vaccinated.

The Department of Health - Hillsborough County said as it receives sufficient supplies and is able to announce detailed distribution plans, updates will be posted at HCFLGov.net/Vaccine

Federal vaccination site:

Federal vaccine sites in Tampa, Miami, Orlando, and Jacksonville opened March 3 as part of a partnership with FEMA, the Department of Defense, and state health offices. The Tampa location is at the old greyhound race track on East Waters Avenue.

The federal site is vaccinating:

  • Priority group age 40 years old and older
  • Front-line healthcare workers
  • Teachers, daycare workers, and school staff of any age

Initially, the FEMA sites were slated to close on April 28, but will remain open until May 26.

The site has suspended administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine following the federal health officials recommendation to pause the vaccine as they study rare cases of blood clotting among people who received the single-dose vaccine. On April 20, the FEMA site in Tampa will begin offering the first dose of the Pfizer shot again.

Appointments are encouraged but not required; patients should use the myvaccine.fl.gov site to register.

These are separate sites from the existing state- and county-run vaccine sites, but will utilize the current myvaccine.fl.gov preregistration system to schedule appointments, which are suggested but not required.

Statewide preregistration system

The state of Florida is offering a statewide registration system to help schedule COVID-19 vaccines. Residents can pre-register for vaccine appointments and be notified when appointments are available in their area by:

Private retailers offering vaccines in Florida:

These businesses are offering COVID-19 vaccines at some of their locations in Florida. They may not all follow the guidelines laid out by Gov. DeSantis. You need to register separately for an appointment with the retailer directly, separate from any state or county registration. Click on a link below for more information.

LINK: COVID-19 vaccine distribution information in Tampa Bay area counties

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COVID-19 Vaccines in Florida:

On December 23, Governor Ron DeSantis announced Executive Order 20-315, which states: During this first phase of vaccine administration, all providers administering any COVID-19 vaccine shall only vaccinate the following populations:

  • Long-term care facility residents and staff;
  • persons 65 years of age and older;
  • and health care personnel with direct patient contact.

Hospitals, however, also may vaccinate persons who they deem to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Governor DeSantis also announced that in addition to hospitals, county health departments will begin vaccinating individuals 65 and older in the coming weeks as supply permits. Each county health department will work directly with their community partners to notify the community when vaccine doses are available and will provide information about what will be needed to register for vaccination.

Florida has launched a COVID-19 Vaccine Report that will be updated daily at FloridaHealthCOVID19.gov. This report includes a breakdown of who has received the vaccine by age, race, sex and county.

If you feel sick:

The Florida Department of Health has opened a COVID-19 Call Center at 1-866-779-6121. Agents will answer questions around the clock. Questions may also be emailed to covid-19@flhealth.gov. Email responses will be sent during call center hours.

LINK: Florida's COVID-19 website

CORONAVIRUS IN FLORIDA: What you need to know

AROUND THE WORLD: CoronavirusNOW.com